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Client involvement in Principal Contractor's investigations
Rank: Forum user 
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Should the Client participate in investigations carried out by the Principal Contractor even although the Principal Contractor has undertaken to provide feedback to the Client on the findings? Could participation by the Client compromise his position as he may be seen to be influenceing the outcome? Why would the Client wish to have an active part when he has already carried out a robust contractor assessment which the Principal Contractor has necessarily passed?
I am obviously familiar with my employer's position but I was wondering what other organisations positons are for comparison. Any advice or opinions welcome.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I can think of a number of occassions when working in premises or sites also occupied by clients that can warrant client involvement. They too may have lessons to be learned or their staff may be directly involved in the sequence of events.
Bob
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Rank: Super forum user
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It's a good question which deserves a better response.
Corporate clients seem to want more and more involvement in projects, sometimes it's useful but on the whole I find it a distraction. I cannot think of anything which gives clients any right to lead or participate in investigations, indeed nothing in the CDM regs spring to mind. Sometimes it may be good practice to do a joint investigation, it does depend on the gravity and circumstances.
On the flip side many investigations should involve the client from the underlying causation perspective. After all, many larger clients have rules and procedures which must be followed. Therefore for a full and thorough investigation looking at culture, rules, processes, etc, which the client obviously influences, it follows that the client should be a part of the investigation process.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ray
Do not forget the all pervasive contract for investigation requirements
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Rank: Super forum user
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Bob, do the T&Cs drill down that far?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ray
Have known many a client do this in the contract requirements
Bob
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Rank: Forum user
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I personally do not see an issue if a client wishes to be part of an investigation team. Investigations are carried out to ensure we take all the learnings and apply recommendations to prevent a recurrence. As long as the Terms of reference is clear to all the team and everyone knows and understands their roles and responsibilities there should be no problems.
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Rank: Super forum user
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...if only it was that simple. Not all clients are so amenable, indeed some are all too willing to project any blame on to the PC. It is also dependant on the individuals representing the client, which complicates the matter still further.
To answer the original questions:
Should the Client participate in investigations carried out by the Principal Contractor even although the Principal Contractor has undertaken to provide feedback to the Client on the findings?
No, unless specifically asked by the PC to participate or assist with the investigation.
Could participation by the Client compromise his position as he may be seen to be influencing the outcome?
Possibly, the client should not dominate the investigation, a fair and unbiased investigation is the primary concern; where everyone involved should accept their failings in order to learn lessons to prevent a re-occurrence.
Why would the Client wish to have an active part when he has already carried out a robust contractor assessment which the Principal Contractor has necessarily passed?
Good point. However, the client may not have total confidence in the PC to deliver a full and unbiased investigation based on previous investigations or some other factors.
Just my own personal thoughts. All persons described above are purely fictitious...
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Rank: Forum user
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Dont know why anyone or organisation would want to complicate matters for an investigation process.
In fairness I can only really comment with any conviction on international O&G clients who generally like to be actively involved with PC's for all aspects of a contract/project.
Bottom line is the client holds the purse strings, so they can pretty much do what they like as long as it within the law. It is also a folly to to under estimate the motives of clients, all they want to do is protect their reputation and credibility for now and the future.
As for not getting involved because a pre-qual assessment has been carried out; experience shows that while it is a great first step, it generally covers the corporate side of any organisation and fails to get down into the nitty gritty of effective project management and finally as we are regularly told...........The client always knows better ;-)
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Rank: Super forum user 
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In my personal experience PC's are not always whiter than white when it comes to sharing blame following an incident.
If I was a Client and an incident happened that may take the shine off a new shiny project, I would want to be involved (not necessarily the lead, but involved)- wouldn't you? Especially if they were in the running for another project.
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Client involvement in Principal Contractor's investigations
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